BLACKPINK's Jennie opens up about burnout: 'I was mentally exhausted'
Jennie / Xportsnews
Jennie of BLACKPINK has candidly spoken about her past struggles with burnout, revealing that her physical and emotional health deteriorated during the height of her early career.
On the Wednesday episode of the tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” Jennie appeared as a guest and reflected on the toll her intense schedule once took on her health. Just three years after their debut, BLACKPINK launched a world tour and performed at major festivals around the globe.
Jennie said her schedule doubled after releasing her first solo single, leaving her no time to take care of herself.
“I lost a lot of weight, I kept injuring my ankles and my health was declining,” she said.
“After debuting, I was just constantly running forward. I barely went out, and that made things mentally difficult. Even though I was hearing good things on broadcasts, I couldn’t have the kinds of conversations I love with the people I love. That made me feel like I wasn’t doing my job properly.”
Jennie recalled a particularly dark time. “I started to see everything negatively. One day, I just hit zero energy.”
Jennie / Captured from tvN
Describing herself as someone naturally affectionate and loving, Jennie said that she eventually became consumed by negative emotions. "I’ve always found conflict and resentment difficult, but there was a period when those feelings took over everything. I wasn’t speaking or acting like myself," she said. "At one point, I felt like I might end up hurting the people I care about."
She said watching her bandmates helped her reflect on herself. “Everyone else was doing their own thing and moving forward, and I kept wondering why I was stuck like this.”
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to take an extended break. During that time, Jennie immersed herself in new hobbies and reevaluated her priorities.
“After starting my own company and working independently, I’ve come to realize that health has to be the top priority,” she said.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.